Internet safety expert wants more done to keep Herts and Beds young people safe online
Figures found more than half of children in the East want tougher regulations for social media companies
An internet safety expert is warning regulations to keep people in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire safe online won't go far enough.
The UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) found more than half of children in the East believe social media companies need tougher regulations to protect young people's safety online.
But the research also found just 28% of children and 43% of parents and carers surveyed have heard of the Online Safety Act, which aims to priorities the safety of children online and places new duties on social media.
Will Gardner is the director at the UKSIC:
"Regulation won't fix everything and the education is part is really key, and that's both giving young people the skills so they can use the tech safely, but also making sure that young people know there are people around them who can help them if they have a problem," he said.
"We've got very high numbers who say they think it's necessary to help ensure that these social media providers are dealing with child protection issues on their platforms.
"So, even though there's low awareness of regulations, it's recognised that it's needed."
"We can't let this technology run away"
On Safer Internet Day today, UKSIC wants to empower young people to lead valuable conversations with parents, carers and teachers on how we can work together to stay safe amidst a fast-moving and often unknown technological environment.
Mr Gardner thinks that the experience of young people using the internet can be improved:
"I think we can't let this technology run away without stopping and talking about what are the things we're seeing, what we're worried about, what's good and what's not, how do we use this technology in a safe way to get the most out of it," he added.
"It's important there is a balance in young people's lives and understanding and developing literacy around the environment young people are in, in order to develop strategies so we can manage that.
"There's a wide range of different online risks and we need to make sure we are thinking about those in the context of new devices and services that young people are using."
What did the UKSIC find?
- 73% of children and young people think that young people should be listened to more about changes in technology, such as how it can remain safe;
- 65% of young people who have used generative AI (genAI) say they are excited about its potential to improve their lives and lives of their friends;
- Over a third (37%) of children who have used genAI have seen their peers use it in a negative way.
What does the government say?
The Government say the 'Online Safety Act'- passed in September- makes sure social media platforms are held responsible for the content they host.
At the time, Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said the Bill is "a game-changing piece of legislation.
"This government is taking an enormous step forward in our mission to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online.
"Our common-sense approach will deliver a better future for British people, by making sure that what is illegal offline is illegal online.
"It puts protecting children first, enabling us to catch keyboard criminals and crack down on the heinous crimes they seek to commit."